Needle for making hooked rugs



NOV 21, 1933- v. PETTERsoN NEEDLE FOR MAKING HOOKED HUGS Filed Feb. 17, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 21, 1933.

V. PETTERSON NEEDLE FOR MAKING HOOKED RUGS Filed Feb. 17, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 2l, 1933V 1,935,915 Y NEEDLE Fon MAKING HooKED RUGS Vick'tor Petterson, Chicago, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments, to FixlerrBrros., Incorporated, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Appiication February 17, 1932. seria1N0.593,54o

7 claims. (c1. 11a-so) 1 This invention' relatesin general to an instrument-for use in making hooked rugs, and is par'- ticularly concerned with a hand operated needle ,Y of the shuttle type wherein the spacing of the I stitches isl accomplished automatically.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide Yin a needle'for making hooked rugs, improved means for operating the needle wherein the han- `dle members are so constructed that they may be easily grasped by the operator and are so designed that the needle may be securely held in operative position and easily guided over the rug pattern as the work vof making the hooked rug progresses. I lt is a further object of this invention to provide in a needle for making hooked rugs, an improved construction in the operating handles and means for connecting them together so that the handles may be easily actuated to move the needle up and down with a shuttle action.

It is a further object of this invention to provide in a shuttle type needle for making hooked rugs, a needle which is soconstructed that its course -of progress over the rug pattern maybe changed without causing damage to the pattern fabric. l l

It is another object Yof the invention to provide `a vneedle for making hooked rugs which is held in such position during'its operation that the operators View of the -rug pattern is not obstructed, vwhereby the pattern may be more easily and accurately followed, and in which the'yarn is fed tothe needle atea point above the hands of the operator, rather than below the operators hands where `it would have a tendency to interfere with the work of making the rug. l

'It is also an object of ythe invention to provide in an instrument for making hooked rugs, improved means for measuring the loops or stitches.

In accordance with the general features of this invention, it is proposed to provide an instrument ofthe shuttle type for making hooked rugs, fwherein theneedleV and means for measuring the loops or stitches are respectively carried by a pair of mutually connected operating handles. The handles are each constructed of a single metallic strip of material, a portion of eachpstrip being formed intoa channel-shaped section which is deflected at one end 'to form a stop member and bent back upon itself at the other end to form a spaced handle portion and thumb rest which are of such shape'as to enablethe handles to be easily gripped by the operators hands and in which the hands"` are4 in such position that they are not easily tired from operating the instrument. The

channel-shaped portions of each handle are arranged to intert and slide relatively to each other. A screw or bolt extends through a slot in one of the channel-shaped portions and engages the channel-shaped portion of the other handle to connect together the handles.

Spaced detents or lugsV are upset on each channel portion which coact to limit the reciprocal movement of the handles, thus relieving the connecting bolt or screw from shock.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of a spring member carried by'one of Vthe operating handles which is cooperatively associated with the needle carried by the other operating handle. This association of the spring member and needle tends to decrease the pressure of the spring member relatively to the needle at such times as the needle is being withdrawn preparatory to making a new insertion thereof into the pattern fabric, thereby holding the yarn with less pressure.

Other objects and features of this invention will more fully appear from the following detail description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a needle constructed to embody principles of the present invention, and the views thereof are as follows:

Figure 1 is a View showing a hooked rug needle embodying the principles of this invention, and 85 one manner in which it may be grasped by the hands of the operator;

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectionalview taken through the needle of Figure l to show the manner in which the handle operating members are connected for relative reciprocal move'- ment, and also the cooperative'relationship between the needle proper and spring follower member for determining the length of loop; Figure 3 is a detailed sectional view showingl the relative positions of the spring follower and needle proper, when the needle operating handle is partially raised relatively to the handle carrying the follower;

Figure 4 is a horizontal cross-section through the operating handles to show the manner in which the handles are interconnected for relative reciprocal movement, taken substantially on the line IV-IV of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an end view of the illustrated form of needle looking toward the point of the needle;

Figure 6 is a View similar to Figure 3 showing the manner of threading the yarnthrough the needle and against the spring follower and illus- 110 trates the spring follower as being adjustably supported on the strip;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the follower illustrated in Figures 6, 10 and ll;

Figure 8 is an enlarged end View of the point of the needle proper constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a view similar to `Figure 6 showing the needle proper inserted through the burlap with the spring follower Withdrawn;

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 with the follower retaining the yarn in the burlap during withdrawal of the needle proper; and

Figure 1l is a similar view showing the spring follower still inserted through the burlap and retaining the yarn therein and showing the needle proper as withdrawn from the burlap ready to take the next stitch.

In order that the present invention and its use may be more clearly understood, a brief description of the art of making hooked rugs will be given. A piece of burlap having the rug pattern stamped on one side thereof is tightly stretched over a suitable frame with thestamped sideV of the burlap disposed so that it will form the wrong side of the rug when completed. By means of a suitable needlel through which the desired'color of yarn is threaded, the operator successively passes the needle through the burlap to form spaced stitches. This operation results in a loop being formed on the top side of the burlap each time the needle isV inserted and withdrawn. These loops should all be of the same length, and when the entire pattern has thus been worked, the loops may be severed at their centers in order to leave a plurality of upstanding strands which form the pattern of the rug.

The needle of this invention is of the shuttle type and comprises a pair of'mutually connected operating handles which are generally indicated at A and B which respectively carry a follower vmember 10 and needle l1 which cooperate to carry the yarn through the burlap and determine the length of loop which is formed.

The handles A and B are oppositely disposed and each is formed from a single strip of metal. Each strip is formed with an intermediate channel portion 12 as clearly shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5`. The lower end of the strip below the channel portion is outwardly deflected to form a presserfoot 13 which is provided with a central aperture 14 for a purpose which will be evident subsequently. The-upper end of the strip above the channel portion 12 is bent back upon itself to form a short vertical loop 15. From this loop the strip of metal extends outwardly at 16 at substantially right angles to the channel portion 12 to form a thumb rest, and then downwardly to form a handle portion 17 having a curved cross-section. -From the handle portion 1.7.the strip is inwardly deflected at l8'and then downwardly and parallel to the channel portion, as shown at 19. From the parallel portion 19 the strip continues obliquely downwardly as shown at20, which brings the end of the strip adjacent the-presser foot 13 Where it is secured to the strip below the channel portion 12 in any wel] known manner, as by welding, or the like. A

It will be observed that the channel portion 12 of the handle A is slightly largerrthan'the` channel portion 12 of the handle B, and that these two channel portions of the respective handles are interfitted as shown in Figures 4 and 5 so as to be moved axially relatively to each other. The channel portion 12 of the handle A v12 of the handle A and is secured to the strip veach other.

as the arcuate curves of the underside of theside is provided with a longitudinally extending slot 2l for receiving therethrough a connecting screw 22 which threadedly engages the channel portion 12 of the handle B. This screw also has threaded thereon a lock nut 23. A washer 24 is disposed underneath the head of the screw 22 to bridge v the slot 21.

in'any suitable manner as Yby welding. Between 95 lthe anchored end of the resilient member 10 and .below the presser foot 13 of this handle, the 105 needle is outwardly offset as shown at 30; This offset 30 of the needle results in a shoulder 31 and a body portion 32 which cooperates with the projection or hump 29 on the spring follower member 10.to cause the needle 11 to be shifted 110 laterally during certain portions of the reciprocal movement 'of the handles A and B relative to The body or shank portion 32 is provided with a transverse aperture 33 which forms the eye ofthe needle and is disposed above the point 34 of the needle, this point being additionally offset and transversely curved outwardly of the body portion 32 beyond the aperture 33. Since it is `common practice in operating an instrument of the type embraced by this invention'120 to reverse the direction in which the needle is progressing by turning the needle while it is still inserted in the burlap fabric pattern, the sides ofv the needle are rounded as shown at 35. This rounded side portion of the needle extends down- 'wardly and includes the major portion of the The shoulder 31 cooperates with the needle 130 vproper 1l to maintain the follower and the needle proper separated so as to not dragl the yarn during the time the article is in use. The transverse curve of the'point of the needle 11 as well 1 35 wall of the needle proper enables spreading of the strands of the burlap without cutting vand enables the insertionA of the needle point in any part of the burlap without cutting. These curved edgesand surfaces separate the strands readily and without damage so that the operator may ifi@ ywork as fast as desired without damage to the burlap or the finished rug. v

Immediately above thumb rest 16 on handle B, there is provided an aperture 36 for receiving the yarn which is indicated as 37 in Figure 1 for making the hooked rug. This yarn is carried to the needle through another aperture 37a Vwhich is provided in the angularly disposed portion 20 ofthe handle B and thence through the aperture i5() 'ite - interfere the guiding'or'the needle over the "pattern design; n o matten how the operator '-gras'psthe handlesAland-lBi. 'r y-HAJrlorther form of spring follower may be eniployed if desired.- Such'other for-mis illustrated in Figures 6, 7, 9 and 1l andeomprises 'a follower of the same-generallshapeas the follower 10 except that the followerv i's-p'rovided-with' an enlarged'head -39 which isfbifurcated, forming `aslot-'. A screw 41engages-fthefchannei 12 ofthe handle A and secures the follower-38- in flengthwiseadjusted position.-

provision of "the'vbifurcated head-39 enableslefngthwse adfjustment ofeethe follower to vary the length Aof loops formed in the rug by thev present needle.Y

Ihe springfollower 38 is providedwithva hump 4 2; positioned and having-,the characteristics of 'the hump 29-of the follower 10.v A Figure `6`illustrates the'yarn 3'7 interposed between the spring follower 38 and the inside of the needle ll. 1- Figure 9i illustrates theposition of the parts after the needle'has been Vpassed through the 'burlap taking with it the yarn 3'7 which is threaded through the eye-33 'oi' the needle. It will be observed that the strands ofthe burlap are separated forthe needle and the yarn. The operator thenl pulls down the handle lAfso `that the-'springfollower38Vlies alongside of the needle 1l and engages and makes the loop C in Figure l0. r 'Iflrlehandle member vB` is then withdrawn, raising-'1 the needleout of the burlap. 'vAs'the needle is raised the shoulder` `3ln thereof engages the hump 42 of the spring follower 38r or thehump -29 ofthe spring follower 10, as the `casemay be, 'whereupon the needle is given a movement to the right asvi'ewed inthe drawings. This move- -mentwill thereforereause the tip of the needleto iadvancetoftheiright sas to enter between-the rnextpair` of 'strands of the burlap.

lligurefll'fillus'trates'the parts after thefneedle 'has' been Awithdrawn with the spring follower still -at-its/lowermost position, retaining` the loop Yin the burlap. Theoperato'r then actuates the-.handle'B to pass the needle into the space between :the next strands of the burlap, and'when` the .needle has been moved downwardly in. the position ifF'gure'v 9: the handle .member A is actuated -to withdraw thesprlng' follower.` Inthis manner `,the needle operated until the is completed. Thelength of the loopC may be regulated by the lengthwise: position 'ofthe `spring followerv 38 with respect to. itshandlemember A., the follower being adjusted by movementrof` the'. bifurcated head 39 with respect to the retaining screw 41. Theollowerl .whiclfifisvwelded to the handle member A produces loops of uniform length and is notv susceptible of adjustment.

Briefly, the operation of the needle of this invention for making hooked rugs, is as follows:

described above, and threaded the needle as shown in Figure l, the instrument is grasped by the operator, handle A being grasped by the'right hand and handle B by the left hand, when it is desired to have the needle progress toward the left. The handle A is raised relatively to handle B as far as it will go, thus leaving the needle projecting beyond the spring follower member 10. The needle is then inserted through the burlap at a desired point on the pattern and pressed Having stretched the burlap rug pattern as f inwardly until the presser foot above the needle `rests on the burlap. Handle A is then moved downwardly until' its presser foot rests against vthe burlap. This movement of handle A causes the deflected end 28 of the spring follwer meinber 10` to follow along the needle until it comes f permost limiti This raising of the needle to its uppermost limit causes the needle Y*to move upwardly relatively to the yarn which is prevented from moving by its contact with the end of spring 1;

follower member 10, and the projection or hump 29v ofthe follower member moves into the recessed portion 32 of the needle 11, thereby enabling the follower member to move Afrom the position shown in dotted vlines' in Figure 3- to the full line position as shown therein, this movement being toward the needle.

It will now .'be. evident that with the handle B in raised position relatively to handle A, pressure being exerted downwardly on handle-A and pressure being exerted upwardly on handle B, there will be a tendencyfto tilt or rotate the entire instrument against the pressure of. the spring follower member 10. This being the case, movement of the handle B downwardly will cause,v the needle to pass through lthe pattern fabric at a point in advance of its previous insertion. The needle is moved downwardly until the presser foot of the handle B again strikes the fabric. Handle A is now raised to its uppermost position, which movement releases the spring follower member .10 and enables the saine -tofmove over against the needle and pass into the new hole which has been madeY by the needle. Continuing the operationof the instrument as just described, that is, by alternateupand-down movement of the handles A andB, the needle progresses along the pattern and produces a series of loops on the under side of the burlap pattern fabric, this under side being the top of the finished rug.

From the foregoing, it. will be evidentl that this invention providesaI novel needle for making hooked rugs having improved means for operating the needle, this means being so constructed that the handles may be easily grasped by thev operator and so designed that the' needle Willbe'secure1y held in operating position and may be easily guided over the vpattern which is being worked; in which novel means'are providedfor connecting the handles 'togetherV Afor inserted in the .burlap pattern fabric `without damaging the fabric; in which the yarn is fed tothe instrument in such a manner that it will not interfere with the guiding of the needle over the pattern, and in which improved means are provided for measuring the loops or stitches.

The particular construction of the needle 1l enables rapid use of the device for making hooked rugs without damage to the fabric and also enables the instrument to be rotated about the axis of the needle proper for turning corners and the like. inching movement caused by the hump on the spring follower engaging the shoulder on the needle proper. The adjustment of the spring Vfollower 38, when such is employed, enables the length of the stitches to be adjusted as it has The instrument travels with an ist spring follower 38 a distance between the tip of the needle 11 and the spring follower varies. Consequently the needle proper may be adjusted to make stitches separated by a single strand of the burlap or by two strands or by three strands, depending of course on the cooperation of the hump and the shoulder. k y

The formation of the point ofthe needle is important in that the conversely curved parts separate t-he strands rather than cutting and the provision of the arcuate underedges of the sides of the needle adjacent its tip enables ready insertion of the needle in the lstrands Vof the fabric without tearing or cutting.

The operator may, if desired, grasp the in- I strument with the thumb against the outside of the thumb portion 16 and the forefinger hooked over this portion with the next finger bearing against the outside ofthe part 11 in which manner the instrument is operated obliquely to the pattern, thus enabling the operator-to more accurately follow the pattern and also being more comfortable for use.

alents may be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention: V Y n 1. In a device of the character described, a pair of relatively movable operating handles comprising a channel-shaped member integrally formed with one handle, a channel-shaped member integrally formed with the other handle,1said channels being interttingly associatedwith the lateral flanges of one channel inside the flanges of the other channel, said second Y,channel having a longitudinally extendingslot, a screw extending through said slot in threaded engagement with the first channel, and inwardly struck p'ortions on the respective channels disposed for coactively limiting the movement of said channels by said handles. Y

2. In a device of the .character described, a pair of mutually connected'operating members, each member being formed from a single strip of metallic material and comprising al channel'- shaped portion having an end deflected outwardly to form a stop, the deflected end of one of said members being apertured to form a yarn guide, a handle portion outwardly spaced from the channel portion, said handleportion extending been found that by 1engthwisendjust1ng the v securement adjacent said first'end of the chanfrom the other end of said' channel toapointnol' of operating members connected for relative' reciprocal movement, a needle carried by one of said operating members having a laterally offset Ypoint, a resilient member having one end anchored on theother operating member and having its free end deected'toward said needle, and means for shifting said deflected end toward and laway from said offset end of the needle in response. to a movement of said operating members.

4. In ka. device of the character describeda pairv of operating members connected for reciprocal movement, a needle carried by one of said operating members having a lateral offset tip terminating in a point, whereby the spacing between the'stitches is determined, the center line of said tip being substantially parallel to the vdirections of movement ofsaid operating, members). p f

5. In a device of the character described, a pair movement, a needle carried by one of said oper- -ating members, said needle having an outwardly offset portion contiguous its point, whereby the spacing between stitches is determined, said offset portion dening a smooth shoulder at its Vjuncture with the shank of the needle.

6. In ,a device of the character described, a pair of mutually connected operating members each member being formed from a single strip of metallic material and comprising a channelshaped portionhaving an end deflected outwardly to forma stop, said deflected end being apertured to form a vyarn guide, a-hand-grip formed by a straight portion of the strip spaced from the channel portion and-parallel thereto, a portion ofthe strip connecting the lower end of the hand-grip to the channel portion, and a portion of the strip connecting the upper end of the hand-grip to the channel portion, said latter conof operating members connected for reciprocable necting portion being at right Yangles to the handgrip portion contiguous its jointure therewith, whereby a thumb rest is formed.

'1; A device of the'character described, a pair of operating members connected for reciprocable movement, and a needle carried by one of said members, said needle having a shank portion o1' substantially. U-shaped cross-section and anfoutwardly offset portion contiguous its pointed end, the sides of the shank-portion being continued into theY offset portion andtapered to dene the needle point, the center lines of said portions being substantially parallel. f f

vIcK'roR PE'rrERsoN. 

